2017 Spring Break

The region of the U.S. known as Appalachia is at Lexington’s back door, yet the reality many Appalachian families face remain unknown to many Kentuckians. The David School located in David, Kentucky works to improve the quality of life for Appalachians in Kentucky, specifically youth. The mission of The David School is “to provide a comprehensive educational program for Appalachian youth and adults who have limited financial resources and the potential to succeed in a non-traditional setting.” UK ASB tentatively plans for volunteers to work with The David School, serving in a tutoring and mentoring capacity alongside children enrolled at the school, and assisting with general upkeep of the school grounds. Service activities will be supplemented by daily educational activities focused on the history of Appalachia including social issues prevalent in this area. Dorm-style housing and basic meals will be provided by the David School. For more information about the David School, visit: www.davidschool.org.

Taylor Brooks Site Leader- David, KY davidsiteleader@gmail.com

Taylor Runyon Site Leader- David, KY davidsiteleader@gmail.com

Date: March 11-18, 2017

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Theme: Refugee Resettlement

Cost: $475/Student (All-Inclusive)

Just imagine – losing everything you own, including your home and family, and being thrust into a new environment with a different language, culture, food, norms, etc. Every day, refugees entering the U.S. face this experience, including feelings of fear and uncertainty that accompany such a life transition, in hopes of finding safe haven or a new life for themselves and their families. As one of the largest refugee resettlement areas in the U.S., Atlanta, Georgia plays host to several non-profit organizations that work to assist displaced refugees, victims of human trafficking, and others along their journey to resettle and regain self-sufficiency. UK ASB volunteers traveling to Atlanta, Georgia will serve these non-profit organizations through International Rescue Committee. Volunteers will assist these organizations as they work to provide refugees with social services, youth programs, health services, educational programs, etc. Daily, volunteers will also engage in facilitated reflections and education sessions focused on the complex issues associated with refugee resettlement. Volunteers will also spend one free day as a group exploring the city of Atlanta.For more information about the IRC, visit: www.rescue.org.

Lily Baker Site Leader- Atlanta, GA atlantasiteleader@gmail.com

Casey Boyd Site Leader- Atlanta, GA atlantasiteleader@gmail.com

Date: March 11-18, 2017

Location: Washington, D.C.

Theme: Hunger and Homelessness

Cost: $475/Student (All-Inclusive)

Washington, D.C. is a major hub for social advocacy and change in the United States, involving politicians, activists, and young people eager to make positive change in our world. Volunteers traveling to Washington, D.C. through UK ASB will work with the non-profit organization The Steinbruck Center, which seeks out “personal, communal, and societal transformation of the systems and structures that create poverty and inequality in our communities, our country, and our world.” The Steinbruck Center was founded in 2001 to educate people on the North Street Village area and the organizations that work there to assist with Hunger and Homelessness. UK ASB volunteers will prepare and serve meals at soup kitchens, distribute food and supplies at food pantries, socialize with individuals living in homeless shelters, participate in community art projects, and more. In addition, volunteers will spend one free day exploring Washington, D.C., specifically visiting sites that commemorate social movements in U.S. history. Dorm-style housing will be provided through the Steinbruck Center and the group will prepare its own meals. For more information about the Steinbruck Center, visit: steinbruckcenter.org/.

Adam Douglas Site Leader- DC dcsiteleader@gmail.com

Olivia Bodart Site Leader- DC dcsiteleader@gmail.com

Date: March 11-18, 2017

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

Theme: Disaster Relief

Cost: $475/Student (All-Inclusive)

In 2005, Hurricane Katina devastated the Atlantic coast of the United States, causing an estimated $81 billion in property damage. Nine years later, areas of New Orleans, Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast are still in a state of recovery and rebuilding. UK ASB volunteers who travel to New Orleans, Louisiana will work with the non-profit organization St. Bernard Project, whose motto is “Rebuilding the Homes and Lives of Katrina Survivors.” While working with the St. Bernard Project, a non-profit organization devoted to the rebuilding and recovery of the Gulf Coast area after Hurricane Katrina, volunteers will assist with housing recovery and community development programs. Additionally, volunteers will work with Grow Dat Youth Farm, an urban youth farm located in New Orleans City Park that strives to create “a diverse group of young leaders through the meaningful work of growing food.” Dorm-style housing and basic meals in New Orleans will be provided. Volunteers will also spend one free day as a group exploring the city of New Orleans, including visiting historic sites in the city and exploring areas of the city still rebuilding. For more information about the St. Bernard Project, visit: www.stbernardproject.org. For more information about Grow Dat, visit: www.growdatyouthfarm.org.

Gina Grosso Site Leader- NOLA nolaleadership@gmail.com

Kathryn Price Site Leader- NOLA nolaleadership@gmail.com

Date: March 11-18, 2017

Location: Silver Springs, Florida

Theme: Animal Conservation

Cost: $475/Student (All-Inclusive)

The Sunshine State! UK ASB volunteers who travel to Silver Springs, Florida will work with the non-profit organization Forest Animal Rescue, which is a lifetime care sanctuary for non-releasable wild animals rescued from lives of abuse or neglect such as big cats, bears, wolves, primates, bats, and more. Throughout the week, UK ASB volunteers will work on various projects around the site, ranging from constructing new habitats to rehabilitating old ones. Because it takes weeks of training to properly feed and care for these animals, and for safety reasons, UK ASB volunteers will not work in direct contact with these animals, but rather assist with construction or other projects at the site. Dorm-style housing and basic meals in Silver Springs will be provided. Volunteers will also spend one free day as a group exploring Marion County, Florida. For more information about Forest Animal Rescue, visit: www.forestanimalrescue.org.

While every refugee’s story is different and their anguish personal, they all share a common thread of uncommon courage – the courage not only to survive, but to persevere and rebuild their shattered lives.” These powerful words delivered by United Nations designate Secretary-General Antonio Guterres capture the essence of this brand new week long service trip to Columbus, Ohio. Similar to the Atlanta trip, this trip focuses on understanding the hardships refugees face as they make their journey to the United States and reinvent their lives from scratch. Alongside an organization called Us Together, volunteers will collect refugee testimonies and teach citizenship classes and cultural orientations. After each day of hard work, volunteers will reflect on their experiences and fully understand the brave choices refugees are forced to make for reasons out of their control.

UK ASB volunteers traveling Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic will work with the non-profit organization Outreach360 (formerly Orphanage Outreach), whose primary mission is to “Release the Hero Within – to involve people to provide opportunities to orphaned, abandoned, and disadvantaged children in the Dominican Republic.” Specifically, volunteers will participate in Outreach360’s Teach Corps-English Education program, helping to teach children basic English language skills in one of Outreach360’s Learning Centers or Camps. Volunteers will stay in local housing provided by Outreach360 while in the Dominican Republic and partake of local food which will be prepared and served by Outreach360 staff. Staff will provide opportunities for volunteers to learn more about the history and culture of the Dominican Republic, including issues affecting youth and education, and volunteers will spend one free day exploring the local area. This may visiting historic landmarks, shopping at a local market, hiking “El Morro,” and/or visiting the beach. Group flights to the Dominican Republic will be booked by UK ASB, and students will depart as a group to/from Lexington. For more information about Outreach360, visit: www.outreach360.org.

Yasmine Shalash Site Leader- DR dominicanleadership@gmail.com

Erica Daly Site Leader- DR dominicanleadership@gmail.com

Date: March 11-18, 2017

Location: Jinotega, Nicaragua

Theme: Global Youth Empowerment

Cost: $1,850/Student (All-Inclusive)

UK ASB volunteers traveling to Jinotega, Nicaragua will work with the non-profit organization Outreach360 (formerly Orphanage Outreach), whose primary mission is to “Release the Hero Within – to involve people to provide opportunities to orphaned, abandoned, and disadvantaged children in Nicaragua.” Specifically, volunteers will participate in Outreach360’s Teach Corps-English Education program, helping to teach children basic English language skills in Outreach360′s Learning Center. Volunteers will stay in local housing provided by Outreach360 while in Nicaragua and partake of local food which will be prepared and served by Outreach360 staff. Staff will provide opportunities for volunteers to learn more about the history and culture of Nicaragua, including issues affecting youth and education, and volunteers will spend one free day as a group exploring the local area. This may include visiting a local art co-operative, visiting a working coffee farm, walking trails through a cloud forest, and/or dining at an eco-resort. Group flights to Nicaragua will be booked by UK ASB, and students will depart as a group to/from Lexington. For more information about Outreach360, visit: www.outreach360.org.